Colorado football fans were angry this week when the Buffaloes were put on two years probation for 55 alleged NCAA rules violations, mostly committed under the watch of former coach Rick Neu-heisel.

Kansas linebacker Glenn Robinson feels their pain.

“I loved CU ever since I was a little kid,” said Robinson, a Longmont, Colo., native who attended Buffs football camps as a high school player and attended the same Boulder church as Colorado luminaries Alfred Williams, Eric Bieniemy and Chad Brown  just to name a few.

Robinson was, in fact, recruited by Colorado and offered a scholarship by Neuheisel.

“I didn’t like him,” Robinson said. “My dad didn’t like him. He just doesn’t seem like an honest guy. You can tell that with what’s happening at Colorado right now.”

The two-time all-conference and all-area selection committed to Colorado State but changed his mind after visiting Lawrence and meeting with KU coach Terry Allen and his staff.

Ironically, Neuheisel left CU for Washington before the 1999 season  Robinson’s freshman year  and was replaced by former Northwestern coach Gary Barnett. After a red-shirt year, Robinson played a limited role for KU in 2000 and 2001 before Allen was fired last fall.

The 6-foot-2, 238-pounder is playing the best football of his college career as Colorado comes to town for a 1 p.m. game today at Memorial Stadium.

“I’m pleased with what I’m doing,” said Robinson, who had 20 total tackles in his first two seasons and enters today’s game with 14 in five games. “I’m pleased with where I’m at. This is the first time I’ve really contributed to the team.”

Robinson and true freshman Nick Reid have played important roles for KU since starting linebacker Banks Floodman suffered a season-ending knee injury in the season opener.

Reid is listed as the starter at outside linebacker on KU’s depth chart, but Robinson has taken on an expanded role.

“What we try to do is to rotate those two guys and get them a lot of reps,” linebackers coach Dave Doeren said. “What we also do is, in passing situations we try to get our fastest guys on the defensive line, and Glenn is a versatile guy who can do a lot of things.”

Robinson has played rush end and linebacker in the last two games. Last week in KU’s 35-32 loss at Baylor, the junior had three sacks and forced a fumble.

“When you have long arms and the ability to accelerate, you have good leverage,” Doeren said. “He can get under blockers. He has quick feet. Having those long arms gives him the ability to separate from blockers and get off the block.”

Pulling double duty hasn’t been hard for Robinson, who played defensive end in high school until he was moved to middle linebacker midway through his senior season.

“It’s like going back home to me,” he said.

The fumble Robinson forced last week at Baylor was recovered by end Charlie Dennis, setting up quarterback Bill Whittemore’s go-ahead touchdown with 2:51 remaining in the fourth quarter.

It was the second time this season Robinson forced a fumble that led to a score.

“You start to get success, and all you think about is doing great things,” Doeren said. “You start thinking you’re the guy who can turn a game.”

KU will need another strong performance from Robinson today against a CU team that is a 21-point favorite.

“He’s gotten better and better,” coach Mark Mangino said. “I think we haven’t seen the best of Glenn Robinson yet.”